Early Times ReportJAMMU, Sept 19: All the owners/ handless of Mules/ Horses of Udhampur, Reasi, Katra and adjoining areas who have engaged their animals on the track of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and Shivkhori asked to get all their animals tested at the Veterinary Dispensary (VD), Ban Ganga, Katra for the glanders disease.Pertinent to mention that Glanders also known as "equine" "Farcy "and "mallous", is an infectious disease that occurs primarily in horses, mules and donkeys. As the disease is zoonotic in nature, can be transmitted to human being. Dogs, Cats and Goats can also be infected by this disease. It is caused by usually by ingestion of contaminated feed and water. Signs of glanders include the formation of nodular lesions in the lungs and ulceration of the mucous membrane in the upper respiratory tract. The acute form results in coughing, fever, release of infectious Nasal discharge followed by septicemia and death within the days.Deputy Director Research and Production, Animal Husbandry Department in coordination with the Chief Animal Husbandry Officers of Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri and Samba has already taken up the programme of testing the equines of these districts. The farmers of other districts are also advised to contact the officers of Animal Husbandry Department of these respective districts for getting their equines tested for Glanders disease.Keeping in view the public health significance of Glanders, all the concerned are advised to extend all possible help to the Department of Animal Husbandry in sero- surveillance / testing so that Glanders is stamped out from the state.